Wigan keeper targets a positive reaction

Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland wants the players to shake off any feelings of self-pity and get back to winning ways.

They face Birmingham on Saturday after a 3-0 defeat by Tottenham at the DW Stadium following a late brace from substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko. Wigan were left frustrated on Sunday after replays showed that the opening goal by Jermain Defoe in the 27th minute was offside.

Kirkland said: "It is not even close. How he (the assistant referee) has not seen it, is hard to believe. It is two yards off. But these things happen in football. We have got to pick ourselves up and go again."

He added: "We didn't play too well in the first half but if that effort is offside it may have been 0-0 at the break. It is bemusing.

"That is why you get frustrated. But now we have to concentrate on Birmingham now as we have 12 big games left."

Manager Roberto Martinez added: "We need to turn our frustration into a good reaction on Saturday.

"It is vital we carry on working hard and put in some strong performances as we are now in a crucial part of the season."

Martinez felt his side did not get a fair crack of the whip from referee Alan Wiley.

He also queried the decision to give the first goal and thought Defoe as well as Tom Huddlestone deserved red cards following separate incidents.

Martinez added: "It is very easy to referee the two sides in the same manner. Clearly that has not happened in this match. It became quite impossible for us."

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